Cowboys apparently didn’t think much of Texans’ draft picks

Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak should be able to sleep better knowing the Dallas Cowboys weren’t impressed with their draft choices.

The website bloggingtheboys.com has done a terrific job of piecing together the Cowboys’ draft board in this post using screen shots of owner Jerry Jones’ television interviews during the draft.

Interestingly, center Travis Frederick, the Cowboys’ first-round pick, was rated as a second-round prospect on their draft board. They had quarterback E.J. Manuel, selected in the first round by Buffalo, with a fourth-round grade.

The Cowboys have won two playoff games in 16 years – or the same number as the Texans over the last two seasons – and the website provides intriguing insight into their draft.

For instance, missing from the draft board are players who had injury or character issues. The website points out:

Injury or character scratches: First rounders Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree and Matt Elam aren’t on Dallas board. Neither are RB Christine Michael, WRs Keenan Allen and Robert Woods, CBs Tyrann Matthieu and Therold Simon, or DE Sam Montgomery. Clearly, its still important that the players they draft are “RKGs.” Further, the team seems to be moving away form selecting talented yet injury-prone players. Several guys with injury histories – Marcus Lattimore, or the aforementioned Jones, for example – are nowhere to be found.

Now, let’s look at how the Cowboys had the Texans’ draft picks ranked. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the first-round pick, had a second-round grade. Safety D.J. Swearinger (second round) was projected in the third round.

<center><strong>1st round</center></strong>DeAndre Hopkins set an ACC record last season with 18 touchdowns.

<center><strong>1st round</center></strong>DeAndre Hopkins set an ACC record last season with 18 touchdowns.

Photo: David Goldman / Associated Press

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<center><strong>1st round</center></strong>Shortly before the draft, a report surfaced that the hotel room inhabited by Hopkins and Rutgers receiver Mark Harrison during the NFL Scouting Combine was left trashed. Hopkins denied any involvement in the incident and Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said the team researched the incident and concluded it was "not an issue," Dennison said. Hopkins said the Texans did not call him about it because they knew he wasn't involved. less

<center><strong>1st round</center></strong>Shortly before the draft, a report surfaced that the hotel room inhabited by Hopkins and Rutgers receiver Mark Harrison during the NFL Scouting Combine was left ... more

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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<center><strong>1st round</center></strong>DeAndre Hopkins of Clemson and Texans first-round draft pick catches a pass against his future teammate, D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.

<center><strong>1st round</center></strong>DeAndre Hopkins of Clemson and Texans first-round draft pick catches a pass against his future teammate, D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.

Photo: Patrick Collard / Associated Press

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<center><strong>2nd round</center></strong>With the No. 27 pick in the second round, the Texans selected South Carolina defensive back D.J. Swearinger.

<center><strong>2nd round</center></strong>With the No. 27 pick in the second round, the Texans selected South Carolina defensive back D.J. Swearinger.